USC TROJANS NEWS

Zachariah Branch - Modest stat line Week 2 Branch gathered in four of five targets for 19 yards during Saturday's 48-0 win versus Utah State.

Impact Branch failed to get out and break any explosive plays in what was an easy win for the Trojans on Saturday. The 5-foot-10 speedster looked like one of the most explosive players in college football when he caught short passes with room to run during last week's win against LSU. While he figures to be used in a number of creative ways by head Lincoln Riley this season, Branch's production will likely depend mostly on whether he can break many long catch-and-runs week-to-week. That figures to be a tough proposition during conference play, which the Trojans begin on the road versus Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 21.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Lake McRee - Leading receiver Week 2 McRee caught four of five targets for 81 yards during Saturday's 48-0 win over Utah State.

Impact McRee logged five targets for the second game in a row, though this week he finished as the Trojans' leading receiver in a win that was dominated more by defense and the rushing game. The redshirt junior tight end's only flaw was giving up a fumble deep in Aggies territory. Nevertheless, early returns indicate that McRee should be one of the top targets in a receiving corps that boasts a lot of talent, albeit without any clear-cut top options. McRee and the Trojans will have a week off before opening a tough Big Ten schedule, starting with a road matchup versus Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 21.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

USC Football News: Four-Star 2026 OL Tommy Tofi Enjoys Memorable Game Day at USC's Home Opener Tommy Tofi, a four-star offensive lineman, enjoyed his first USC game day as the Trojans soared past Utah State.

SEPTEMBER 10 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

College Football Playoff stock watch: As Michigan falls, Big Ten newcomer USC is rising Why USC, Miami and Tennessee are on the rise and Michigan, Notre Dame and Oregon are on the decline in our Playoff projections.

SEPTEMBER 10 • NYTIMES.COM

USC Football News: Trojans tight end Lake McRee rising from ACL injury Lake McRee Sparks USC’s Offense Alongside Miller Moss’s Leadership.

SEPTEMBER 10 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

USC Football News: Joel Klatt Questions AP Poll: USC Trojans 'Deserve to be in the Top Ten' Joel Klatt expressed his frustration with AP Poll voters, insisting USC football belongs in the Top Ten this season.

SEPTEMBER 10 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

USC Football News: Can the Trojans Maintain Momentum? Power Rankings Show Trojans Above Oregon, Nebraska USC shines in the Big Ten power rankings, ranking second after a strong start, outpacing Oregon and Penn State.

SEPTEMBER 10 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

USC Football News: Trojans' Title Chances Improve Drastically Post Utah State Victory The USC Trojans saw their Big Ten title odds improve significantly after a dominant 48-0 win.

SEPTEMBER 9 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

2024 Big Ten power rankings: Ohio State on top, USC climbs after Week 2

The Buckeyes continue to dominate, while Lincoln Riley's Trojans are finally dangerous on defense. See where everyone lands in our latest Bi...

SEPTEMBER 9

Dylan Hernández: USC has become a Big Ten power and should reach the College Football Playoff LOS ANGELES - Suddenly, the fantasy feels grounded in reality. Suddenly, the best-case scenario feel...

SEPTEMBER 9 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

USC Football News: Will Trojans Climb Higher in Week 3 AP Poll After Dominating Utah State? After a decisive 48-0 win over Utah State, will the USC Trojans move into the Top Ten in the AP Poll?

SEPTEMBER 8 • KANSASCITY.COM

USC Football News: Lincoln Riley Praises Trojans Linebackers After Dominant Win: 'Healthy Competition' USC Coach Lincoln Riley is impressed with his linebackers, highlighting their quick improvement and depth.

SEPTEMBER 8 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

USC Football News: Miller Moss Raves About Lincoln Riley: 'Best Offensive Coach in College Football' After a stunning 48-0 victory, USC’s Miller Moss praised Lincoln Riley as the best offensive coach in college football.

SEPTEMBER 8 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

USC Football News: Trojans Emphasize Improvement: "Our Focus is on the Present" Despite early victories, USC Trojans emphasize present improvement for playoff ambitions.

SEPTEMBER 8 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

USC Trojans Recruiting: 4-Star Linebacker Ty Jackson Commits to USC On Sunday, Sept. 7, four-star Seminole Ridge (FL) linebacker Ty Jackson announced his commitment to USC. Jackson's pledge comes on the heels...

SEPTEMBER 8 • SI.COM

Quinten Joyner - Works into the offense Week 2 Joyner posted 10 rushes for 84 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 48-0 victory against Utah State.

Impact Joyner made the first significant contributions of his young career, including his second and third career rushing scores. The redshirt freshman was a factor throughout the entire game for USC, as he scored the team's first touchdowns in both the first and second half Saturday. Joyner also split carries with Mississippi State transfer Woody Marks, who logged 13 carries Week 2 after handling the lion's share of the workload during the season-opener versus LSU. It will be worth monitoring if Joyner's role Week 2 was simply a product of what was an easy matchup for USC, or if this continues when the team opens its conference schedule at Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 21.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Quinten Joyner - Works into the offense Week 2 Joyner posted 10 rushes for 84 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 48-0 victory against Utah State.

Impact Joyner made the first significant contributions of his young career, including his second and third career rushing scores. The redshirt freshman was a factor throughout the entire game for USC, as he scored the team's first touchdowns in both the first and second half Saturday. Joyner also split carries with Mississippi State transfer Woody Marks, who logged 13 carries Week 2 after handling the lion's share of the workload during the season-opener versus LSU. It will be worth monitoring if Joyner's role Week 2 was simply a product of what was an easy matchup for USC, or if this continues when the team opens its conference schedule at Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 21.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Miller Moss - Maintains clean stat sheet Week 2 Moss was 21-for-30 passing for 229 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 48-0 win versus Utah State.

Impact Moss completed at least 70 percent of his passes for the second week in a row, albeit against a much easier opponent compared to the season-opener versus LSU. The senior quarterback's lone touchdown came when he found wideout Makai Lemon for a six-yard completion just before the end of the first half. While he's not threat with his legs, Moss' very beginning to his career as USC'S starting quarterback is a nice sign for his production heading into Big Ten play. The Trojans will next play when they travel on the road for their conference opener at Michigan.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Miller Moss - Maintains clean stat sheet Week 2 Moss was 21-for-30 passing for 229 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 48-0 win versus Utah State.

Impact Moss completed at least 70 percent of his passes for the second week in a row, albeit against a much easier opponent compared to the season-opener versus LSU. The senior quarterback's lone touchdown came when he found wideout Makai Lemon for a six-yard completion just before the end of the first half. While he's not threat with his legs, Moss' very beginning to his career as USC'S starting quarterback is a nice sign for his production heading into Big Ten play. The Trojans will next play when they travel on the road for their conference opener at Michigan.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Woody Marks - Rolls in blowout win Marks compiled 13 carries for 103 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 48-0 victory over Utah State. He also caught all three of his targets for 39 yards.

Impact Marks found a much easier path to the end zone Week 2 even though he logged one fewer touchdown Saturday. The Mississippi State transfer scored a two-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. However, after commanding the bulk of carries Week 1 versus LSU, Marks split snaps with redshirt freshman Quinten Joyner, who tallied 10 carries for 84 yards and two scores. Joyner actually logged the first touchdown of the game with a nine-yard score late in the first quarter. Given that this was a matchup versus an inferior opponent for USC, it's unclear if the team will actually begin to work in Joyner alongside Marks more moving forward. The best measuring stick for this potential split will come when the Trojans next play in their Big Ten-opener versus Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 21.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Woody Marks - Rolls in blowout win Marks compiled 13 carries for 103 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 48-0 victory over Utah State. He also caught all three of his targets for 39 yards.

Impact Marks found a much easier path to the end zone Week 2 even though he logged one fewer touchdown Saturday. The Mississippi State transfer scored a two-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. However, after commanding the bulk of carries Week 1 versus LSU, Marks split snaps with redshirt freshman Quinten Joyner, who tallied 10 carries for 84 yards and two scores. Joyner actually logged the first touchdown of the game with a nine-yard score late in the first quarter. Given that this was a matchup versus an inferior opponent for USC, it's unclear if the team will actually begin to work in Joyner alongside Marks more moving forward. The best measuring stick for this potential split will come when the Trojans next play in their Big Ten-opener versus Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 21.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

USC Football News: Top inside linebacker Ty Jackson commits to USC USC secures a top-tier linebacker with Ty Jackson’s commitment for the 2025 recruiting class.

SEPTEMBER 8 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

AP Top 25: SEC grabs six of first seven spots; Notre Dame tumbles

After the first shake-up of the season, the SEC grabbed six of the top seven spots in the AP Top 25 and Notre Dame tumbled.

SEPTEMBER 8

USC Trojans Schedule Watching: Upcoming Opponents Notre Dame, Michigan Suffer Losses USC Trojans and college football fans all over are in shock after No. 5 Notre Dame lost at home to the Northern Illinois Huskies 16-14 on Sa...

SEPTEMBER 8 • SI.COM

Will the USC Trojans Jump Into the Top Ten in Week 3 AP Poll? Predicting where the USC Trojans will rank after beating the Utah State Aggies 48-0 in the season's home opener in the Los Angeles Memorial...

SEPTEMBER 8 • SI.COM